Nailing machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for holding and nailing together the elements of subcomponents of building structures, which includes a work bed with a fence at one side and a movable ram to clamp the component elements against the fence. The ram is mounted upon a carriage for initial adjustment, and the ram carries a mount for an automatic nailer. Additional mounts for nailers are on the fence, whereby nailing from two sides can be effected. All nailer mounts permit vertical adjustment. The machine is supported on a frame, and a fluid tank, to supply fluid to operate the ram and nailers, forms part of the bracing of the frame. Means are provided for connecting supply and delivery conveyors to the machine.

United States Patent 1191 Davis Oct. 23, 1973 54] NAILING MACHINE 3,252,642 5/1966 Page 227/100 Inventor: Jack Davis RL-No 5, BOX 363, 3,253,759 5/1966 Mayo et a1 221/100 [22] Filed: Nov. 11, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 197,671

[52] U.S. Cl. 227/152 [51] Int. Cl. 1325c 7/00 [58] Field of Search 227/152, 153, 99,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,056,139 10/1962 Merrick 227/153 3,629,931 12/1971 Stanley 227/152 X 2,188,053 1/1940 Madsen 227/152 X 2,209,379 7/1940 Bel1.-. 227/152 X 2,544,499 3/1951 l-lovey.... 227/153 3,559,863 2/1971 Sack 227/153 X 3,623,648 11/1971 Newswanger 227/153 2,636,525 de Anguera 241/152 X Bristol, Tenn. 37620 Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney--Thomas B. Van Poole et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A machine for holding and nailing together the elements of sub-components ofbuilding structures, which includes a work bed with a fence at one side and a movable ram to clamp the component elements against the fence. The ram is mounted upon a carriage for initial adjustment, and the ram carries a mount for an automatic nailer. Additional mounts for nailers are on the fence, whereby nailing from two sides can be effected. All nailer mounts permit vertical adjustment. The machine is supported on a frame, and a fluid tank, to supply fluid to operate the ram and nailers, forms part of the bracing of the frame. Means are provided for connecting supply and delivery conveyors to the machine.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEBIN 23 an SHEET 2 BF 2 Elli 1 NAILING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus'for use in building construction, and more particularly to apparatus to nail the several elements of building components together.

Many of the sub-components used in building con struction, such as box sills, headers, comer and junction posts, door and window jambs, girders, beams, etc., are composite units consisting of two, or more, elements nailed together. In normal practice, both in custom building and in constructing prefabricated units, the sub-components are formed before being put into place in the building, or prefabricated unit, of which they are to become a part. It is usual to cut the pieces required for each sub-component, assemble them in proper relation, and, while holding the pieces together, nail them to form the complete member.

In factories where volume production is employed, mechanical nailers are used. Some are mounted on stands having platforms to receive and support the members during nailing. In some instances, the nailers are mounted for reciprocal movement toward and from the work position on the platform. These nailers are designed for a particular operation, and cannot be readily converted, or adjusted, for other .uses. Also, these ma- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION his the general object of the present invention to provide nailing apparatus which is improved over that which is now available, and is suitable for use either in a shop or on the premises where building is being done.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide nailing apparatus which is capable of quick adjustment to adapt it for varied uses.

Another object is the provision of such apparatus which can mount one, or a plurality, of nailing guns for operation at one, or more, positions relative to the work. 1

A further object is to provide building apparatus which has means for mounting nailing guns for vertical adjustment to an infinite number of positions within a given range, with the adjustment being accomplished quickly and without the use of tools.

It is also an object to provide apparatus of this nature wherein nailing guns can be mounted on one, or both, sides depending upon the nailing requirements of the component to be constructed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the described character with means for clamping the component elements and holding them during nailing, wherein the clamping means is adjustable to operative positions closely adjacent the work position to reduce the required movement necessary to reach clamping position, and wherein nailing means may be carried by the movable clamp member so that the nailing means may beadjusted automatically, and

simultaneously, with the'clamping member.

Still a further object. is the provision of nailing apparatus which is fluid operated, and the fluid tank is built into the apparatus frame and forms part of the bracing means for the frame.

It is an object of the invention to provide nailing apparatus which can be connected to conveying means for bringing sub-component elements to the nailing position, and moving completed componentstherefrom,

which conveying system can include other stations for other operations if desired.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one practical embodiment thereof, when taken in conjunction'with the drawings which accompany, and form part of, this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a building sub-component nailing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

FIG. 3 shows the machine in sideelevation, with a sub-component shown in assembled relation on the machine bed;

FIG. 4 is a partial vertical section, taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the bed and adjacent structure, and is taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown a sub-component nailing machine 1 secured to sections of conveyors 2 and 3, to carry component parts to the machine and completed components from the machine, respectively. The machine includes, generally, a base frame 4, a work-receiving bed 5, fixed nailer mounting brackets 6 at one side of the bed, and a movable carriage 7 which carries the movable member of the work clamp and also means for mounting an additional nailer.

Frame 4 has four vertical legs 8, with opposed pairs of the legs being joined at the tops by angle members 9. The joined pairs are, in turn, connected by a front plate 10 and a fixed back plate 11 with, the plates projecting considerably above the tops of the legs and angle members and extending along the front and back of the machine. Back plate 11 rises some distance above the front plate 10 and forms a fixed fence'for aligning the elements of sub-components under con struction and also a mounting means for automatic nailers, as will be described. The plates 10 and 11 are connected by square brace members 12, which extend in parallel relation transversely of the machine and also form rails upon which the carriage 7 is mounted. The lower portions of the legs at the sides of the machine are joined, and braced, by means of plates 13. A cylinder 14 extends between plates 13 and has its ends welded to those plates, so that the plates become headers for a fluid tank of which the cylinder 14 is the body. Thus, a supply tank for operating fluid, preferably air, is provided as part of the machine, with the tank serving to brace and rigidify the machine frame.

Carriage 7 is composed of two sleeves 15, one slideably mounted on each rail 12, and a body member 16 in the form of an angle member connecting the sleeves. Mounted directly on each sleeveis an air cylinder 17. The cylinders are fixedly connected to the sleeves, and each has its piston rod 18 directed rearwardly, toward the back plate 11. The piston rods are fastened to one face of a clamping plate 19. Clamping plate 19 which extends longitudinally of the machine bed 5, and with the back plate 1 1 provides a clamp to hold elements of components on the machine bed in position while being nailed. A bracket 20 projects downwardly from front plate 10, and a threaded shaft 21 is rotatably mounted in the bracket. A traveling nut 22 is threaded on the shaft, and it carries an upwardly projecting connector 23, which is fixed to the vertical flange of the carriage body 16. The shaft has a hand wheel 24 upon its forward end, exteriorly of the machine, by which the shaft can be rotated to cause carriage 7 to move forwardly or backwardly across the machine, toward and from the back plate 11.

The clamping plate 19 has a central, lower projecting portion 25, which has on its forward face a bracket 26 that is offset from the plate at its center to form a vertical socket 27, to receive a mounting tongue 28 of a pneumatic nailer 29. Tongue 28 projects downwardly from a base 30 which carries the nailer. In order to support the nailer in adjusted positions vertically, a lock screw 31 is threaded through plate 19 into the socket 27 for locking contact with the nailer mounting tongue 28. By releasing the screw 31, the nailer can be raised, lowered or removed from its mounting. A hand wheel, or knob, 32 is carried by the screw to permit turning without the use of tools. By having nailer 29 carried by the clamping plate 19 the nailer is moved into operative position relative to the work when the clamping plate 19 moves into clamping position.

The work is supported upon the bed for nailing. Bed 5 consists of two, or more, rollers 33 extending from front to back of the machine, and journaled in the front and back plates and 11. The rollers provide a movable bed surface, so that the elements which make up the sub-components may be moved easily into position for nailing, and the finished component may be moved quickly from the machine.

The back plate 11 is slotted vertically downward from its upper edge at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points, to provide a plurality of slots 34 through which nailers can operate to nail component elements which are against the back plate 11. Below the bottom ends of the slots, a strip 35 is secured in spaced relation to the back of back plate 11. Strip 35 is held in spaced relation to the back plate by spacers 36 to provide a plurality of vertical sockets 37 to receive mounting tongues 38 of one or more additional nailers 39. A locking screw 40, having a hand wheel, or knob, 41, is threaded into each socket 37 to hold the nailers at desired positions of vertical adjustment.

The nailers 29 and 39 and the ram cylinders 17 are supplied with air under pressure from the supply tank 14 by means of an air hose 42. The hose has permanent connection to the cylinders and suitable releasable couplings to the various nailers. The hose is connected to a filter-regulator and oiler assembly 43, which, in turn, is connected by a pipe 44 to tank 14. A cutoff valve 45 is in line 44 to shut off the air supply when the machine is not in use.

Any suitable foot switch may be employed to operate a solenoid controlling flow of air to cylinder 17. Where air pressure is built up in the ram cylinders to the desired degree, a pressure switch will operate a solenoid to trip the nailers and release the ram cylinders for return. These elements are not illustrated because they are well-known.

In most instances, it will facilitate operation of the machine if conveyors, such as the roller conveyors 2 and 3, are used to bring the elements of the subcomponent being built to the machine and carry completed components from the machine. In order to conmeet the machine to the conveyor sections, pins 46 are provided at the side edges of the front and back plates 10 and 11, and the conveyor units carry hooks 47 to engage the pins. Thus, the machine and conveyor units will be held in firm connection.

In using the machine, nailers will be mounted in the sockets 27 and 37 as may be desired for proper nailing of the component being made. If the component is of a type, such as the one shown in FIG. 3, which requires nailing from both sides, nailers will be mounted in both the socket 27 and one socket 37, as illustrated. If, on the other hand, the component requires nailing from only one side, the nailer 29 will be removed. At times, when nailing is done on one side only, two, or more, nailers 39 may be mounted in sockets 37 to expedite the nailing operation. In all cases, the nailers will be positioned at the proper height for correct nailing and secured in position by the locking screws 31 and 40. The nailers will be connected to air hose 42, and cutoff valve 45 will be open. Hand wheel 24 will be turned to move the carriage 7 into proper position to locate clamping plate 19 slightly spaced from where the forward edge of the component will lie as it rests against back plate 11. The machine will then be ready for operation.

As component elements arrive in the machine from conveyor 2, the assembled elements will be brought into contact with back plate 11. The foot switch will then be operated to cause the carriage to move rearwardly and bring ram 19 into contact with the assembled component elements and the elements into clamping contact with back plate 1 1. When the parts are properly clamped, the nailers will fire, nailing the elements together. The component will then be moved along bed 5 to the extent necessary to position it to receive another nail. With the present machine, subcomponents of any configuration can be nailed, for the machine can nail from one, or both, sides as required. Conversion from one type to another is quickly and simply done without tools. When various sizes of components are to be nailed, the height of the nailers can be adjusted with ease. The same is true as far as component width is concerned, for carriage 7 can be moved to properly position the clamping plate 19. When the clamping plate is adjusted, the forward nailer is automatically moved to proper position when nailing is to be done from both sides.

The present machine is relatively small and light in weight. It can be used in a shop, or it can be transported to a building site. If the building being erected is a multi-story one, the machine can be moved up, floor by floor, as construction proceeds, so that sub-component construction can be accomplished at the point where the units are to be used. This greatly facilitates construction and saves transportation and hoisting of heavy components.

While in the above, one practical embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the details of construction shown and described are merely by way of example, and the invention can take other forms within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A nailing machine comprising, a supporting frame, a fixed plate on the frame, a work bed on the frame including movable means for supporting work for sequential movement through the nailing machine along a path adjacent the fixed plate, an automatic nailer mount on the fixed plate, a clamp plate movably mountedon a carriage adjustably mounted on the work bed for movement toward and from the fixed plate, means to move the clamp plate with respect to the carriage to clamp work on the bed against the fixed plate and release it therefrom and an automatic nailer on the automatic nailer mount for nailing work clamped between the fence and the clamp plate.

2. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 1 additionally including adjustable support means on the automatic nailer mount for supporting a nailer in selected positions of vertical adjustment.

3. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 2 additionally including adjustable positioning means to move the carriage toward and away from said fixed plate.

4. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 3 additionally including an automatic nailer mounted on the carriage.

5. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the automatic nailer mounted on the carriage is supported by adjustable support means to hold the automatic nailer thereon in selected positions of vertical adjustment.

6. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein, there are a plurality of automatic nailer mounts spaced at discrete distances along the fixed plate.

7. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein, each of said automatic nailer mounts along the fixed plate includes means to hold an automatic nailer in selected positions of vertical adjustment.

8. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 1 additionally including an automaticnailer mounted on the carriage and wherein said means to move the clamp plate includes piston and cylinder means on the carriage.

9. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein, said supporting frame includes spaced pairs of legs, plates extending between the legs of each pair, and a cylinder extending between the plates and having its ends secured to the plates to form a fluid tank and brace the frame.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N I Dated October Jack Davis Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The frontal page is amended after the inventor's name and address by the insertion of:

- Assignee: Davis Building Systems, Ltd.

Bristol, Tennessee- Signed and sealed. this 19th day of March, 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM PO-1 050 (10-69) USCOMM'DC 60376-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I989 0-366-334. q x 

1. A nailing machine comprising, a supporting frame, a fixed plate on the frame, a work bed on the frame including movable means for supporting work for sequential movement through the nailing machine along a path adjacent the fixed plate, an automatic nailer mount on the fixed plate, a clamp plate movably mounted on a carriage adjustably mounted on the work bed for movement toward and from the fixed plate, means to move the clamp plate with respect to the carriage to clamp work on the bed against the fixed plate and release it therefrom and an automatic nailer on the automatic nailer mount for nailing work clamped between the fence and the clamp plate.
 2. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 1 additionally including adjustable support means on the automatic nailer mount for supporting a nailer in selected positions of vertical adjustment.
 3. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 2 additionally including adjustable positioning means to move the carriage toward and away from said fixed plate.
 4. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 3 additionally including an automatic nailer mounted on the carriage.
 5. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the automatic nailer mounted on the carriage is supported by adjustable support means to hold the automatic nailer thereon in selected positions of vertical adjustment.
 6. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein, there are a plurality of automatic nailer mounts spaced at discrete distances along the fixed plate.
 7. A nailing Machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein, each of said automatic nailer mounts along the fixed plate includes means to hold an automatic nailer in selected positions of vertical adjustment.
 8. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 1 additionally including an automatic nailer mounted on the carriage and wherein said means to move the clamp plate includes piston and cylinder means on the carriage.
 9. A nailing machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein, said supporting frame includes spaced pairs of legs, plates extending between the legs of each pair, and a cylinder extending between the plates and having its ends secured to the plates to form a fluid tank and brace the frame. 